A Flashback to Statewide Efforts: Pioneering Veteran Support Through National Invest in Veterans Week®

As National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) approaches, states across the nation reflect on their efforts to honor and support those who served in uniform. While the National Governors Association highlights impressive state-level initiatives, National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) takes a transformative approach, creating an ecosystem of opportunity, advocacy, and innovation that amplifies state programs and fills critical gaps.

NIVW stands as a dynamic, nationwide movement that bridges local and global efforts, empowering veterans to achieve sustainable success in entrepreneurship, housing, mental health, and beyond.

Honoring Local Heroes: State Initiatives That Set the Stage

Montana’s Veteran Commendations and Invest in Veterans Week

Montana Governor Greg Gianforte demonstrated leadership in honoring veterans through commendations and a roundtable discussion during Invest in Veterans Week. These efforts focused on collaboration between state agencies, advocates, and veteran organizations to address critical challenges such as housing, healthcare, and employment.

NIVW expands on such efforts by introducing global programs that connect veterans to capital, mentorship, and international business opportunities.

Read more: Championing the Complete the Mission Act of 2024.

Economic Empowerment: Advancing State-Level and Global Support

Maryland’s Financial Assistance for Veteran-Owned Businesses

Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s $2.2 million funding initiative for small, minority, and veteran-owned businesses is a clear example of state-level economic empowerment. By providing loans, equity investments, and job creation grants, Maryland fosters local growth and community impact.

NIVW complements these efforts by scaling resources through platforms like GermanyVeterans.com and FloridaVeterans.com, ensuring global access to mentorship, funding, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Virginia’s V3 Program

Virginia’s Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employers program celebrates businesses committed to hiring veterans and military spouses. NIVW reinforces this mission by connecting veterans with global employers through tools like π.directory, a comprehensive listing of veteran-owned and veteran-friendly businesses.

Explore more: FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ Empower Female Veterans.

Housing and Community: Building Resilience Beyond State Borders

New York’s Homes for Heroes Initiative

New York’s Homes for Heroes Veterans Apartments is an outstanding example of addressing housing insecurity among veterans. This state-led initiative provides permanent, supportive housing tailored to the needs of formerly homeless veterans.

NIVW amplifies such programs through its global Veterans’ Housing Initiative, offering financing options and partnerships to scale affordable housing projects for veterans worldwide.

Missouri’s Suicide Prevention Programs

Missouri’s focus on veteran suicide prevention aligns with NIVW’s broader mission to tackle mental health challenges. Through mentorship programs like FeMil Lead℠, NIVW empowers veterans to lead in their communities, fostering resilience and a sense of belonging that directly combats isolation and mental health issues.

The Global Impact of NIVW’s Vision

While states like California and South Carolina focus on localized support, NIVW creates a framework that transcends borders. Operating in 62 global markets, NIVW’s initiatives connect veterans to opportunities that would otherwise remain inaccessible, bridging local efforts with international impact.

Key Platforms Driving Global Change:

• π.guru: A mentorship network connecting veterans with industry experts.

• π.solutions: Providing tailored strategies to overcome business challenges.

• π.digital: A hub for educational resources and business toolkits.

These innovative tools position NIVW as a catalyst for systemic change, complementing state-level efforts with a unified, global strategy.

Learn more: Driving Innovation and Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurship Across 62 Global Markets.

A Call to Action: Uniting Local and Global Efforts for Veterans

National Invest in Veterans Week® bridges the gap between state-level achievements and global opportunities, creating a comprehensive framework to support veterans at every stage of their journey. By combining localized resources with international reach, NIVW ensures no veteran is left behind.

How You Can Support the Mission:

• Advocate for legislative reforms like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act to expand access to funding and federal contracting.

• Explore state-specific platforms like FloridaVeterans.com to connect with tailored opportunities.

• Join the conversation and access resources at National Invest in Veterans Week®.

Together, we can honor the sacrifices of our veterans by providing them with the tools, networks, and opportunities they need to thrive. National Invest in Veterans Week® is more than a movement—it’s a promise to invest in those who’ve invested in us.

National Invest in Veterans Week®: A Transformative Alternative to Strengthen VetBiz Communities

While National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans through SBA-led events and resources, National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) takes a more transformative and comprehensive approach to empower veteran-owned businesses. By offering global reach, targeted mentorship, and legislative advocacy, NIVW addresses systemic barriers in ways that NVSBW's localized initiatives do not fully encompass.

This deeper dive contrasts the approaches of NVSBW and NIVW, advocating for a model that not only celebrates veteran entrepreneurship but also drives long-term economic and social impact.

From Celebration to Transformation: Why NIVW Stands Out

1. Global Reach vs. Local Events

NVSBW focuses on nationwide SBA events that connect veterans to resources like VBOCs and funding programs. While helpful, these are often limited to one week and depend on regional partnerships.

In contrast, NIVW extends across 62 global markets, leveraging hyper-localized domains like FloridaVeterans.com and GermanyVeterans.com to provide year-round support. This international reach ensures that veteran entrepreneurs can access resources tailored to their local and global needs, fostering opportunities in diverse industries such as technology, green energy, and logistics.

2. Comprehensive Legislative Advocacy

NVSBW emphasizes SBA-backed resources such as 7(a) loans, VetCert, and federal contracting certifications like SDVOSB. These tools are essential but insufficient to address the larger structural challenges facing veteran entrepreneurs.

NIVW goes further by championing legislative efforts like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, which proposes:

• Startup Tax Credits to offset initial business costs.

• Low-Interest Loans to make capital more accessible.

• Streamlined Federal Contracting to simplify the process for securing government contracts.

Learn more about these initiatives at Championing the Complete the Mission Act of 2024.

FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠: Targeted Support for Women Veterans

One of NIVW’s standout features is its dedication to underserved veteran groups, particularly women veterans. Through programs like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, NIVW empowers female entrepreneurs with tools such as:

• Funding Education to overcome systemic biases in capital access.

• Leadership Training to enhance their impact in business and community roles.

• Tailored Mentorship for scalable and sustainable growth.

NVSBW provides general resources for women through programs like the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, but NIVW’s year-round approach ensures a more sustained impact.

Economic and Social Impact: A Broader Vision

Economic Growth

While NVSBW focuses on immediate resources for individual businesses, NIVW drives systemic change by fostering collaborative networks and international opportunities. Veteran-owned businesses already contribute over $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy; NIVW’s global model has the potential to scale this impact exponentially.

Social Empowerment

NIVW recognizes that veteran entrepreneurship is not just about profit—it’s about creating jobs, fostering innovation, and giving back to communities. By promoting initiatives like Kevin D. Shoun’s transformational leadership (read more here), NIVW builds a culture of resilience and community-driven success.

A Call to Elevate Veteran Advocacy

While NVSBW provides essential tools for veterans to navigate entrepreneurship, National Invest in Veterans Week® redefines what it means to support VetBiz communities. Its global reach, legislative advocacy, and focus on underrepresented groups make it a more impactful alternative for strengthening veteran entrepreneurship.

Get Involved:

• Explore global platforms like FloridaVeterans.com or EUVeterans.com to connect with opportunities tailored to your region.

• Support legislative efforts like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act to break systemic barriers.

• Join the conversation and learn more at National Invest in Veterans Week®.

Together, we can move beyond celebration and build a future where veteran entrepreneurs thrive as leaders, innovators, and community builders.

National Invest in Veterans Week®: A Transformative Alternative to NVSBW

As the SBA marks its 12th annual National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) from November 11-15, 2025, National Invest in Veterans Week® (NIVW) is redefining the scope and impact of veteran entrepreneurship. While NVSBW celebrates the contributions of veteran-owned businesses, NIVW offers a comprehensive, year-round framework designed to address systemic challenges, foster innovation, and expand opportunities for veterans globally.

This article explores how NIVW surpasses the achievements of NVSBW by focusing on global reach, dynamic programs, and advocacy-driven solutions to empower veteran entrepreneurs at every stage.

NIVW’s Broader Vision for Veteran Entrepreneurship

1. Global Scale vs. National Celebration

NVSBW highlights the entrepreneurial spirit of veterans within the U.S., offering events through SBA resources like VBOCs, SCORE mentoring, and workshops. These initiatives are valuable but inherently localized and time-bound.

In contrast, NIVW spans 62 global markets, connecting veterans to a robust ecosystem of resources through platforms like FloridaVeterans.com, GermanyVeterans.com, and SingaporeVeterans.com. This international reach ensures veterans can explore global markets and opportunities tailored to their industries.

Explore more: Driving Innovation and Empowering Veteran Entrepreneurship Across 62 Global Markets.

Tailored Support for Underserved Veteran Communities

Empowering Female Veterans Through FeMil℠

NIVW stands out with its specialized initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠, which address the unique challenges faced by female veterans. These programs provide:

• Leadership Development for scaling businesses.

• Funding Education to overcome systemic inequities.

• Mentorship Networks for sustainable growth.

While NVSBW includes women in broader initiatives, FeMil℠ offers targeted, year-round support that ensures lasting impact.

Learn more: FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ Empower Female Veterans.

Advocating for Systemic Change

Going Beyond SBA Certifications

NVSBW promotes SBA-backed programs like SDVOSB certifications and Veteran Advantage loans. While these resources are essential, they often fall short in addressing larger systemic barriers like access to capital and federal contracting complexities.

NIVW takes advocacy further by championing legislative reforms through the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act, which includes:

• Startup Tax Credits to reduce financial risks.

• Low-Interest Loans tailored to veteran-owned businesses.

• Streamlined Federal Contracting to make government opportunities accessible.

For more on these efforts: Championing the Complete the Mission Act of 2024.

Leveraging Technology Through the π Domains

NIVW’s π (Pledge to Invest) = Veteran Businesses℠ domains represent a revolutionary approach to veteran entrepreneurship. These platforms bridge gaps in mentorship, resources, and global collaboration, including:

• π.guru: A mentorship network connecting veterans with industry leaders.

• π.directory: A global database of veteran-owned businesses to foster collaboration.

• π.solutions: Tailored strategies to overcome business challenges.

These tools empower veterans to scale their businesses, leveraging technology to access opportunities across industries.

Economic and Social Impact of NIVW

Veteran-owned businesses contribute over $1.2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy, with NVSBW highlighting these contributions. However, NIVW amplifies this impact by fostering international collaboration and innovation, ensuring veterans are positioned to lead in industries like AI, renewable energy, and healthcare.

NIVW’s Focus Areas:

• Job Creation: Supporting veteran-owned enterprises to drive employment growth.

• Economic Expansion: Connecting businesses to international markets for scaling opportunities.

• Leadership Development: Promoting resilience and innovation among underserved veterans.

For inspiring examples of leadership: Kevin D. Shoun: Transformational Leadership in the Spirit of Jimmy Carter.

Why NIVW Outpaces NVSBW

Aspect NVSBW NIVW Duration One week (November 11-15 annually) Year-round programming, observed March 1-7 annually Scope U.S.-focused events and resources Global outreach in 62 markets Support for Women General programs like Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Targeted initiatives like FeMil℠ and FeMil Lead℠ Legislative Advocacy Simplified SBA certification processes Comprehensive reforms like the Invest in Veterans Stimulus Act

A Call to Action: Invest in Veterans Through NIVW

As NVSBW celebrates the resilience of veteran entrepreneurs, NIVW takes a step further by transforming the entrepreneurial landscape. By addressing systemic challenges, providing global connections, and fostering leadership, NIVW ensures veterans can thrive in business and beyond.

Get Involved with NIVW:

• Explore year-round opportunities at National Invest in Veterans Week®.

• Support targeted initiatives like FeMil℠ for female veterans and global platforms such as GermanyVeterans.com.

• Advocate for policy changes that break barriers and promote equity in veteran entrepreneurship.

By moving from recognition to action, National Invest in Veterans Week® creates a future where veterans are not only celebrated but empowered to lead as innovators, entrepreneurs, and community builders. Together, we can ensure that service to our country translates into lasting economic and social impact.